DMK MP calls for 60% reduction in Paranur toll fees

04 Nov 2024 CW Team

DMK MP P Wilson has raised concerns over "excessive toll fees" at the Paranur toll plaza near Chennai, accusing the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of collecting over Rs 285 million above the project's original investment. Wilson called for a 60% reduction in toll fees at Paranur and other toll plazas across Tamil Nadu, citing the 2008 National Highways Fee Rules, which mandate reduced toll rates once project costs are recovered.

In a post on X, Wilson condemned the continued collection of full toll charges as "unacceptable, outrageous, and unjust," warning that unchecked toll collections could lead to "unjust exploitation and looting."

NHAI currently operates 64 toll plazas across Tamil Nadu. Wilson questioned the deposit of excess funds into the Consolidated Fund of India for further highway projects, arguing that without independent audits, these funds benefit contractors at the expense of the public. He also criticized Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) officials for allegedly misinterpreting the 1997 National Highways Fee Rules, which stipulate an 80-kilometer minimum distance between toll plazas, a requirement Wilson claims is being ignored.

This appeal follows similar demands by DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, who recently urged a halt to toll collection on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 48), citing poor road conditions and incomplete construction at Sriperumbudur toll plaza. (ET)

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..